Goulding gives United bench spark in Bullets grind

IT MUST be tempting for Melbourne United to persist with using Chris Goulding in damaging spurts.

It is not so much a luxury but a necessity, right now, but United coach Dean Vickerman would be thrilled as the NBL champions approach the season-defining December-January grind.

No slight on Goulding, as the burst role is merely a stop gap to help the captain find his feet after niggling knee and eye complaints.

But it begs the question.

Is the sharpshooter's ability to impact with and without the ball most devastating when the opposition is on tired legs?

No one in the league shoots the ball as well, and as consistently, as the 2017-18 grand final most valuable player.

Chris Goulding attempts to get around Matthew Hodgson.

So with early-season wins on the board the stacked United roster could actually benefit with Goulding as the glue man.

His ability to work off screens, make good decisions, free up teammates and, of course, shoot the ball from anywhere - at any time - makes Goulding a formidable force late in quarters or when game demands.

United deployed Goulding at crunch moments on its way to a clinical 102-94 victory at Melbourne Arena against Brisbane Bullets in front of a crowd of 7656.

The Bullets, however, through no real fault of their own, were their own worst enemy, engaging United in an arm-wrestle is a recipe for disaster anywhere - let alone Melbourne Arena.